Minister Duncan Announces Funding to Canada Soccer to Co-Host the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ in Canada, Mexico and the United States

The Government of Canada is providing up to $4.3 million to Canada Soccer to prepare to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup™

Today, the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport, announced the Government of Canada will provide up to $4.3 million to Canada Soccer from now into 2020 in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™.

First announced in March 2018, the Government of Canada strongly supports co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ with the United States and Mexico. The funding announced today will provide Canada Soccer with the funding it requires to adequately plan and inform long-term decisions required to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup™.

Held every four years, the FIFA World Cup™ is the Fédération Internationale de Football Association’s (FIFA) most prestigious competition. Co-hosting this international event will provide significant opportunities for the sport community. The government recognizes the tremendous power and many benefits of sport. The 2026 FIFA World Cup™ will bring people of diverse backgrounds together and help shape our national and cultural identity. It will also provide social, community, cultural and economic benefits to Canadians, as well as strengthen Canada’s image as a leading sport nation. This will be the first time Canada has hosted the men’s senior FIFA World Cup™. Canada has successfully hosted all other FIFA competitions, including the record-setting FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™. Held in six cities and provinces across Canada, the competition attracted 1.35 million spectators and generated an economic impact of nearly half a billion dollars.

The Government of Canada is proud of the investments it makes to support the hosting of international sport events. It will continue to work with Canada Soccer, along with the candidate host cities of Edmonton, Toronto and Montréal and their respective provinces, as this event presents an important opportunity to support our athletes, communities, economy and international reputation as a leader in sport.

Quotes

“Co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ is an excellent opportunity for our athletes to inspire Canadians across the country while helping support small- and medium-sized businesses from coast to coast to coast. The 2026 FIFA World Cup™ will provide an opportunity to showcase Canada on the World stage and will encourage Canadians and young athletes to stay active and strive for greatness.”

—The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport

“On behalf of Canada Soccer, we express our sincere appreciation to the Government of Canada for their financial contribution to the transition phase for the co-hosting of the 2026 FIFA World Cup™. From the onset of the bidding process, the Government of Canada has been at the table to support our efforts to secure the bid and now in this next phase we know that the continued collaboration with all levels of government will give us the best opportunity to ensure that Edmonton, Alberta; Montréal, Quebec; and Toronto, Ontario, are all selected as official host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™.”

— Peter Montopoli, General Secretary, Canada Soccer

Quick Facts

On April 10, 2017, the football governing bodies for Canada, the United States and Mexico announced that they would pursue a joint bid for the 2026 FIFA World CupTM. Together, they created the United 2026 bid.

On June 13, 2018, FIFA selected Canada, Mexico and the United States to co-host the 2026 FIFA World CupTM.

Related Products

The Government of Canada Announces its Support-in-Principle for the United 2026 bid to Co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ in Canada, Mexico and the United States

Associated Links

Sport Canada

Canada Soccer

SOURCE Canadian Heritage

For further information: (media only), please contact: Daniele Medlej, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Science and Sport, 343-291-4204, daniele.medlej@canada.ca; Media Relations, Canadian Heritage, 819-994-9101, 1-866-569-6155, pch.media-media.pch@canada.ca

Related Links

www.pch.gc.ca

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